Military Connected Courses

The Department of Veteran and Military Services is committed supporting our students through the unique challenges they face in higher education. An area that we have been seeing positive results is in our military specific coursework. We have three courses that have been developed within the university’s strict liberal studies requirements. Our courses are more than elective credit: they are incorporated into the liberal studies. These course can be applied to all degrees and are eligible to be funded by the GI Bill®.

Our courses are:

The purpose of the course is to explore and examine the challenges for Veterans integrating into the world of higher education. Additionally, Veterans probe the differences and similarities between the military and civilian culture, while conducting serious inquiry into the cultural aspects of the Veteran experience within higher education. The overall purpose is to build upon Veterans global cultural experiences and critical thinking skills as a framework to recognize and assess how culture fashions the human experience.

Veterans, by virtue of their military experience, have been exposed to diverse ethnicities and cultures. Furthermore, Veterans often undergo significant training before deploying to overseas locations regarding language, religion, social mores, and significant historical episodes. The Cultural Understanding designation affords the opportunity for Veterans to utilize their substantial knowledge and global awareness as a bridge to success in higher education and professional endeavors.

This course is designed to provide a clearer understanding of investment options, stock market nuances and the development of skills in money management and budgeting.

This course is specifically designed for Military Veterans and focuses on Personal Finance in a Global Economy. This course examines the role of the consumer in society, and how elements of our social, cultural and political systems lead to healthy and unhealthy financial behaviors. Military Veterans learn how to manage personal finances including:

The use of Veterans Benefits to include; Post 911 G.I. Bill, FAFSA Pell Grant, FAFSA subsidized and unsubsidized college loans and book stipends

Proper use of credit, savings, insurance, stocks, bonds, and other investment programs

Analysis of expected outcomes from alternative financial strategies

The role of financial institutions

Determining personal taxes

Planning for retirement

Estate planning within the context of changes and impacts occurring throughout our global economy

This particular course is designed to help Veterans explore options that combine their individual skills with the various core values they hold. Oftentimes our Veterans begin college with a particular career in mind and then learn of different opportunities than they originally thought. This course provides a framework to help students define their direction more clearly.

Schlossberg defines transition as any event that results in a change. In order to understand the highly personal meaning that a transition has for a person, the context and impact of the transition must be examined. In the case of military veterans, it is Schlossberg’s third factor, Self, that heavily influences a persons ability to cope with transition. The experience, leadership skills, civic engagements, and work ethic of a veteran can be valuable in any industry. It is the strategic translation of the specialized knowledge, skill, and ability of the veteran that leads to optimal civilian employment.

In this course students learn each facet of the career development process from industry research to the non-linear career path, as well as effective verbal and written communication. Students analyze their military, personal, and higher education experiences to develop a better understanding of their strengths, capabilities, and interests to craft not only their career goals but also their contributions within their communities as a whole. By the end of the term, students have developed improved writing skills, self-reflection, practiced interviewing skills, as well as a comprehensive collection of practical job-seeking tools and resources that will help them throughout their careers.